Proclamation

State of Texas §

WHEREAS, the Braunfels Foundation Trust has named Jack Ohlrich as a New Braunfels 2008 Living Legend; and

WHEREAS, Jack Ohlrich was born July 11, 1924 to Otto and Wallie Hillert Ohlrich, he has one brother Robert. They were raised on the family ranch on FM 1863, settled by his grandparents in 1850. He was fluent in English, Spanish and German when he started 1^st grade at Mission Valley School on horseback. The one-room school house sent five children to New Braunfels High School the year Jack entered the 9th grade. Jack worked at the Mission Valley Mills, for three years for 30 cents an hour, after school and on weekends.

Jack was a true Texas rancher, a straight-shooter, and very self-reliant. In 1945, he volunteered for the army, after marrying his high school sweetheart, Beverly Tolle; and he was "going to the Pacific." Thirty one days later, he landed in the Philippines with L Company, 33^rd Infantry Division headed for the mountains of Northern Luzon. Luckily for Jack, the war ended and he was stationed at a telegraph office in Tokyo.

After his return home, Jack went back into ranching in Midland. In 1948, he leased the R. R. Coreth 3,000-acre ranch which is the current site of Hunters Creek, Oak Run, Walgreens, and the future H-E-B Store. 1949 brought the birth of his only child, Toya. She adored going to the ranch with her father every day. After the drought of the 1950’s, Jack made a career change and earned his Real Estate license. His first sale was a 1,350-acre ranch which sold for $75 an acre. His $3,000 commission was more than he made at ranching in a year. One thing he knew well was ranching and the Texas Hill Country. He got his Broker’s license, and his reputation for straight-talk and good advice began to pay off. He ran his own firm and was involved in the development of several new subdivisions from 1960 until his retirement in 1988.

Jack earned the respect of the business community and served on several Boards of Directors including First National Bank in 1973 (then Texas Commerce Bank) and later Chase Bank. He was selected to be remembered in Honors Hall, received the Besserung Award, and served as President of the Wurstfest Association. He was elected to New Braunfels City Council in 1968, served four years as Mayor for the City of New Braunfels, and was a driving force in the development of the original Civic Center.

Jack continued to work for the betterment of our city and Comal County by representing our interests on the Edwards Aquifer Board for nine years. Even in his 80’s Jack has continued to serve as he did in 2005, on the charter review committee, and currently serves as an Advisor for the Comal County Regional Conservation Habitat Committee.

Jack and Beverly enjoyed 38 years of marriage before her passing. Their daughter, Toya Ohlrich Boyer has two daughters, Casey and Shelly. They have blessed Jack with five great-grandchildren.

In 1983, Jack married Evelyn Peterson, a childhood friend. They are celebrating 25 years of marriage. Evelyn has two daughters, Lynn and Francie, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Not one to sit back and enjoy retirement, Jack would rather be out fixing fences or repairing broken water tanks. He says that hard physical work is what keeps him young; a day without a project is a day wasted. Jack is definitely "old school"; and that "school" definitely taught him well.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commissioners Court of Comal County, duly convened and acting in its capacity as the governing body of Comal County, does hereby name October 28, 2008 as "Living Legends Day" in Comal County and recognizes Jack Ohlrich as an individual who has truly made a difference in Comal County.